If it works, it could mean something any dog owner would want: more time with them, but with a good quality of life.
The veterinary biotechnology company Loyal is developing LOY-002, an experimental drug designed to extend dogs’ years of healthy life as they age. To find out whether it really works, the company launched the STAY study, one of the largest canine longevity trials conducted to date.
More than 1.300 dogs aged 10 or older are taking part in the trial, distributed across 70 veterinary clinics in the United States. The follow-up may last up to four years, and the animals receive a chewable tablet every day. That said, since this is a double-blind study, half receive the drug and the other half a placebo, without the owners or researchers knowing which one each dog received.
During that time, veterinarians will monitor not only how long the dogs live, but also their health and quality of life. The owners must also periodically answer questionnaires about how their pets are aging.
LOY-002 has not yet been approved for sale, and the study is specifically intended to gather the evidence needed to apply for authorization from the FDA. The company says its goal is not to treat a specific disease, but to help dogs remain healthy for longer.
It still remains to be seen whether it really works, but behind those 1.300 dogs lies a question that millions of people would like to answer: can we get a few more years with them?